Double eyelid artificial eyelash and method

ABSTRACT

An artificial eyelash assembly is described. It includes a support strip, a plurality of eyelash filaments attached to the support strip, and a flexible member or lace material is attached to the support strip. The support strip is adapted for application to an eyelid of a user at a base location. The flexible member or lace material is applied to the end user&#39;s eyelid at a flexible member location different from the base location.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Field of the Invention

The field of the invention is a beauty-enhancing product comprising an artificial eyelash assembly with the ability to create the appearance of a double eyelid.

Background of the Invention

Double eyelids and long eyelashes are two attractive features. Double eyelids or epicanthic folds are attractive because the extra fold above an eye can make the eye appear fuller and brighter. Similarly, long eyelashes create a contrast between the eye and the eyelid and make the eyes look bigger. Fuller and larger eyes are an attractive quality. When eyes have an epicanthal fold (also referred to as having a monolid), the eyes do not have any creases or lines along the eyelid, the eyelids tend to cover the top part of eyelashes and make the eyelashes grow downwards. While beauty standards are subjective and vary amongst cultures, many people agree that a person with single-part eyelids or monolids would become more attractive by wearing artificial eyelashes and creating artificial double eyelids simultaneously. Therefore, a person with single eyelids may desire to change their appearance by simultaneously wearing artificial eyelashes and cosmetics to form double eyelids.

In prior art approaches, the answer to that demand in the beauty products are two separate cosmetic lines, and a consumer may have to purchase different cosmetics and separately wear artificial eyelashes and double eyelid forming glue or tape. Artificial eyelashes are a cosmetic makeup device used to enhance the length and volume of natural eyelashes by gluing the extensions to the natural lash or the natural eyelid. Double eyelid forming members, such as tape and glue, are cosmetics to stick the top of the eyelid skin together to create the illusion of a double eyelid and open up the eye exposing the eyelashes

A need exists in the art for extended eyelashes that allows the creation of double eyelid illusion in one product which further uses convenient and easy steps.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention to provide an artificial eyelash that can form a double eyelid with a clear fold in one simple device without additional cosmetics.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention, together with the above and other objects and advantages, will be best understood from the following detailed description of the preferred embodiment of the invention shown in the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1A depicts a front view of one embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 1B depicts a front view of an alternative embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2 depicts a schematic front view of a monolid person wearing an embodiment of the invention on her right eye.

FIG. 3 depicts a front view of an exemplary right eye.

FIG. 4 depicts a schematic overview of using an embodiment of the artificial eyelashes.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The above summary and the following detailed description of specific embodiments of the present invention will be better understood when read in conjunction with the appended drawings.

As used herein, an element or step recited in the singular and proceeded with the word “a” or “an” should be understood as not excluding plural said elements or steps unless such exclusion is explicitly stated. Furthermore, references to “one embodiment” of the present invention are not intended to be interpreted as excluding the existence of additional embodiments that also incorporate the recited features. Moreover, unless explicitly stated to the contrary, embodiments “comprising” or “having” an element or a plurality of elements having a particular property may include additional such elements not having that property.

As used herein, the phrase “artificial eyelash” refers to an apparatus that is not part of the wearer's body.

Artificial Eyelash Enabling Double Eyelid Illusion

Turning to the figures, FIG. 1A depicts an embodiment of an artificial eyelash 10. The artificial eyelash 10 comprises a support strip 13 and a flexible member 23. The support strip 13 acts as a base strand for the artificial eyelashes. In this embodiment, the flexible member 23 serves as the double eyelid feature.

A plurality of eyelash filaments 15 is coupled to the support strip 13. The eyelash filaments 15 preferably have a curved profile simulating the appearance of an actual human eyelash and may be formed from, for example, human hair, animal hair, or synthetic fibers, or a combination thereof.

The support strip 13 has a first end 11 and a second end 12 opposite the first end 11. A support strip application area is between the first end 11 and the second end 12. The flexible member 23 has a first end 21 and a second end 22 opposite the first end 21. The first end 21 of the flexible member 23 is coupled with the first end 11 of the support strip, and the second end 22 of the flexible member 23 is coupled with the second end 12 of the support strip.

In one embodiment, the support strip 13 is divided into three sub-segments 1, 2, 3. Each sub-subsegment comprises approximately one-third of the total length of the support strip 13. It should be noted that the sub-segments are a logical division of the support strip 13 and in one embodiment, the support strip 13 comprises a single continuous piece of material. As shown in FIG. 1A, the first sub-segment 1 and the third sub-segment 3 comprise the edge portions of the support strip 13, while the second sub-segment 2 comprises a middle portion.

In the embodiment of FIG. 1A, the flexible member 23 is shown attached at approximately the first end 11 and the second end 12 of the support strip 13. In other embodiments, the first end 21 of the flexible member 23 is attached at the support strip 13 at any location comprising the first sub-segment 1. The second end 22 of the flexible member 23 is attached at the support strip 13 at any location comprising the third sub-segment 3. In this way, the first sub-segment 1 and the third sub-segment 3 comprise attachment points between the flexible member 23 and the support strip 13.

While in FIG. 1A, the sub-segments 1,2,3 are shown as being substantially the same length, in other embodiments, the middle sub-segment 2 is longer than the other two sub-segments.

In some embodiments, the flexible member 23 is attached at each attachment point such that it is moveable along the length of the corresponding sub-segment. For example, flexible member 23 is hooked on the support strip 13 so that it can be unhooked and repositioned. In such an embodiment, the first attachment point and the second attachment point are user-selectable.

In one embodiment, the flexible member 23 is connected to the support strip 13 using an adhesive, including a heat-activated adhesive or a fast-acting adhesive, such as a cyanoacrylate. A heat-activated adhesive is dispensed using a hot glue gun in one embodiment. However, in other embodiments, different types of instant adhesives are used.

In another embodiment, ends of the flexible member 23 are heat soldered to the support strip 13 by use of an iron or a soldering iron. In this embodiment, tips of the flexible member 23 are partially melted and then connected to the appropriate parts of the support strip 13. In another embodiment, the support strip 13 is manufactured with excess material in either end, and the material is heated, forming a weld point with the flexible member 23.

In yet another embodiment, the flexible member 23 and the support strip 13 comprise one continuous strand of material. The continuous material is then bent at the first end 11 and the second end 12. In such an embodiment, the flexible member 23 and the support strip 13 comprise a single continuous clear wire or thread, with bends or other deformations in the thread to define the support strip 13 and the flexible member 23. In a further embodiment, the bends in the clear thread are fixed in a configuration by applying heat.

In one embodiment, another flexible member having a first end and a second end is included in the eyelash assembly 10. The first end of the additional flexible member is coupled with the first end 11 of the support strip 13, and the second end of the additional flexible member is coupled with the second end 12 of the support strip 13.

While one flexible member 23 is shown in FIG. 1A, in some embodiments, multiple flexible members 23 are used. In some embodiments where multiple flexible members 23 are used, each flexible member 23 is connected at a different location along the support strip 13.

In one embodiment, the flexible member 23 is provided to the end-user separately from the artificial eyelash strip 10. The end-user may then first trim the eyelash strip and then attach the flexible member 23.

Artificial eyelash 10 includes an adhesive material for securing the artificial eyelash 10 to an eyelid or in close proximity to an eyelid. An adhesive material may be, for example, a latex-based adhesive or any other adhesive material compatible with the material of the artificial eyelash 10 and suitable for adhering the artificial eyelash to an eyelid or in close proximity thereto. Artificial eyelash 10 may be provided with adhesive material pre-applied. In some embodiments, a user applies adhesive material to the artificial eyelash 10 support strip 13 before using the artificial eyelash 10. The adhesive material is preferably provided on or applied by the user to an entire length or substantially the entire length of support strip 13 and flexible member 23. For example, the support strip 13 in the artificial eyelash and the flexible member 23 may be dipped in the adhesive material or the adhesive material applied to the artificial eyelash with an applicator, such as an applicator bottle tube, brush, toothpick, tweezers or the like. However, the quantity and location of application of the adhesive is depends on the needs of the end-user and whether the artificial eyelash support strip 13 already came with adhesive.

Flexible Member Details

The flexible member 23 preferably comprises elongated lengths of wire, string, cord, fiber, or similar materials. In some embodiments, the flexible member is made from a transparent or translucent material. In one embodiment, the flexible member is made from an acrylic material, such as an acrylic wire. In another embodiment, the flexible member is made from a fishing line.

A benefit stemming from the use of a transparent material is that it is almost invisible and resembles a deep and natural eyelid crease. Further, as a flexible member is transparent, the end-user can wear eye-makeup over the material after application.

In at least some embodiments, the flexible member is made from a different material than the support strip. In some embodiments, the flexible member is more pliable than the support strip. As discussed herein, the flexible member comprises the same material as the support strip in some embodiments.

In one embodiment, the flexible member 23 comprises a tape that has been cut to a thread-like thickness, having a diameter of approximately 0.2 mm down to approximately 0.05 mm. In embodiments that use a thread-like tape, the tape is double-sided, in one embodiment, and so the thread does not need to be aligned carefully during manufacturing. In one embodiment, the adhesive is applied to a thread, forming a thread that is sticky on the entirety of its periphery.

In some embodiments, the area between the flexible member 23 and the support strip 13 is partially or fully filled with a transparent yet flexible substrate. In such an embodiment, the substrate may have adhesive applied to the user-facing side, in essence being a clear tape applied to the end user's eyelid.

While FIG. 1A shows the filaments 18 as knotted on the support strip 13, the flexible member 23 may be attached to an artificial eyelash made using any manufacturing method, including knotting, layering with adhesive, layering of filaments with other lightweight materials, heat welding, and other approaches.

In an alternative lace embodiment 24, shown in FIG. 1B, the plurality of eyelash filaments 15 is coupled to the support strip 13, a rounded segment or strip of lace material 25 is also attached to the support strip 13. In this embodiment, the lace material 25 acts as the double eyelid feature. In one embodiment, the support strip 13 is simply a boundary defined in the lace material strip 25. The rounded segment of lace material 25 includes the support strip 13 and a rounded edge 26 on the opposite end. The rounded edge 26 will shape the wearer's eyelid in the same way as the flexible member 23 shown in FIG. 1A.

To shape the lace embodiment 24, lateral cuts 27 are made once the plurality of the eyelash filaments 15 is attached to the support strip 13.

The lace material 25, as used in the lace embodiment 24, provides a surface area where adhesive may be applied between the product and the user's eyelid. As a result, the double eyelid can be securely or stably formed, and in some applications, the double eyelid effect may be more stable than the single strand support member 23.

The eyelashes may be made by being knotted onto the support strip 13 or the lace material 25 using the knotting method directly on the strands comprising the lace material 25.

In use of the lace embodiment 24, the cuts 27 are performed by the end-user depending on the particular end user's eye size. With the product with a flexible member 23 only, the end-user will need to retie the flexible member 23 to the support strip 13 if they wish to cut the support strip 13. Without retying, the product may be rendered useless because the ends of the flexible member 23 must be attached to the support strip, and if the corner is cut away, then the flexible member 23 will also be disconnected. However, the lace embodiment 24 is advantageous when the double eyelid product needs to be trimmed by the end-user.

The lace material 25 is superior to alternatives, such as clear tape. In addition, the lace material 25 is breathable, is lighter, and eyelash filaments can be knotted straight to the lace material 25.

Method of Use

An overview of the method of use 80 is shown in the flowchart in FIG. 4 .

The process begins by applying the adhesive material 82 to the artificial eyelash 10, including the support strip 13 application area and the flexible member area 23. As described above, each embodiment of the eyelashes may be provided with adhesive material pre-applied. Alternatively, a user may apply the adhesive material to the artificial eyelash 10.

Once the adhesive material is applied, the user will wear the artificial eyelashes by affixing support strip 84 to her eyelids. In the process of artificial eyelashes attachment, the application locations are defined in accordance with the user's eyelid, as shown in FIG. 3 (the relative distances and positions are not to the scale). A user's eyelid 36 covers an eye 37. In FIG. 2 , the eye 37 is shown in dashed lines underneath the eyelid 36. The eyelid 36 has an eyelash end 34 at the bottom and an opposing upper end 31. To affix the artificial eyelash 10, the user manipulates the application area of the support strip 13 with her fingers or tools into a preferred area called base location 33, an area that includes a line of natural eyelashes 40 of the upper eyelid of the user at least in some embodiments. The user then gently applies forces to the support strip 13 to allow the artificial eyelash 10 to be secured to the eyelid with the said adhesive material. Upon successful application, the affixed eyelashes would extend the user's downward natural eyelashes 40 and may curl upward, as seen in the right eye of FIG. 2 .

Next, the user will affix flexible member 86 to her eyelids. The flexible member 23 is preferred to affix at a flexible member location 32 somewhere between the base location 33 and the upper end of the user's eyelid 31. To affix the flexible member 23, user may use her fingers or tools to stretch the thread-like flexible member 23 and apply it at flexible member location 32 with approximate pressure such that a line on her eyelid is to be formed and the flexible member will be attached to the eyelid after the user released her fingers or tools. The thread-like flexible member 23 then digs into the eyelid due to the elastic contractive force of the flexible member. In one embodiment, the flexible member 23 is shorter than the support strip 13 in order to ensure the flexible member digging into the eyelid. As a result, a double eyelid or an epicanthic fold is formed in the eyelid. In other embodiments, the flexible member 23 and the support strip 13 are approximately the same lengths, and in other embodiments, the flexible member 23 is longer than the support strip 13. In such an embodiment, the flexible member 23 can reach higher in the wearer's eyelid.

In one embodiment, artificial eyelashes 10 includes more than one flexible member; the user would follow the same aforementioned procedure in applying and attaching the additional flexible members to the user's eyelid.

As in FIG. 3 , in some embodiments, during the step of affixing the double eyelid feature 86, the flexible member location 32 is at a distance d1 to the upper end of the user's eyelid 31, and the based location 33 where the support strip is applied to the user's eyelid is at a distance d2 to the upper end of the user's eyelid 31. In at least some embodiments, d1 is less than d2.

Finally, the attachment of artificial eyelash 10 is finished by affixing support strip 84 and the double eyelid feature 86. In most embodiments, the order affixing support strip 84 and affixing the double eyelid feature 86 can be reversed. For example, in the embodiment shown in FIG. 1A, the user can affix the flexible member 23 first, then affix the support strip 13.

A benefit of artificial eyelashes integrated with double eyelid forming members is that the user can attach the flexible member in the preferred area as the two ends of the flexible member are already attached due to their coupling with the support strip.

Although exemplary implementations of the invention have been depicted and described in detail herein, it will be apparent to those skilled in the relevant art that various modifications, additions, substitutions, and the like can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. These are therefore considered to be within the scope of the invention as defined in the following claims.

It is to be understood that the above description is intended to be illustrative and not restrictive. For example, the above-described embodiments (and/or aspects thereof) may be used in combination with each other. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the invention without departing from its scope. While the dimensions and types of materials described herein are intended to define the invention parameters, they are by no means limiting but are instead exemplary embodiments. Many other embodiments will be apparent to those of skill in the art upon reviewing the above description. The scope of the invention should, therefore, be determined with reference to the appended claims, along with the full scope of equivalents to which such claims are entitled. In the appended claims, the terms “including” and “in which” are used as the plain-English equivalents of the terms “comprising” and “wherein.” Moreover, in the following claims, the terms “first,” “second,” and “third” are used merely as labels and are not intended to impose numerical requirements on their objects. Further, the limitations of the following claims are not written in means-plus-function format and are not intended to be interpreted based on 35 U.S.C. § 112, sixth paragraph, unless and until such claim limitations expressly use the phrase “means for” followed by a statement of function void of further structure. 

1. An artificial eyelash assembly comprising: a support strip having a first end, a second end opposite the first end, and a support strip application area between the first end and the second end; a plurality of eyelash filaments coupled to the support strip; and a double eyelid feature; wherein the support strip application area is adapted for application to an eyelid of a user at a base location; wherein the double eyelid feature is applied to the eyelid of the user at a double eyelid feature location which is different from the base location.
 2. The artificial eyelash assembly of claim 1 wherein the double eyelid feature comprises a rounded segment of lace material.
 3. The artificial eyelash assembly of claim 1 wherein the double eyelid feature comprises a flexible member having a first end and a second end wherein the first end of the flexible member is attached to the support strip at a first attachment point of the support strip and the second end of the flexible member is attached to a second attachment point of the support strip.
 4. The artificial eyelash assembly of claim 3, wherein said flexible member comprises a clear wire.
 5. The artificial eyelash assembly of claim 3, wherein said flexible member comprises an acrylic wire.
 6. The artificial eyelash assembly of claim 3, wherein said flexible member comprises a fishing line.
 7. The artificial eyelash assembly of claim 1, wherein said eyelid of the user comprises an eyelash end and an opposing upper end, and wherein the double eyelid feature location is at distance d1 to the upper end and the base location is at a distance d2 to the upper end.
 8. The artificial eyelash assembly of claim 7, wherein d1 is smaller than d2.
 9. The artificial eyelash assembly of claim 1, wherein application of the double eyelid feature is adapted to create appearance of an epicanthic fold.
 10. The artificial eyelash assembly of claim 1, wherein said base location comprises a line of natural eyelashes of the eyelid of the user.
 11. The artificial eyelash assembly of claim 3, wherein said flexible member is shorter than said support strip.
 12. The artificial eyelash assembly of claim 3, further comprising an additional flexible member having a first end and a second end wherein the first end of the additional flexible member is coupled with one end of the support strip and the second end of the additional flexible member is coupled with the opposite end of the support strip.
 13. The artificial eyelash assembly of claim 3, wherein said flexible member comprises a different material than the support strip.
 14. The artificial eyelash assembly of claim 13, wherein said flexible member is more pliable than the support strip.
 15. The artificial eyelash assembly of claim 3, wherein said first attachment point comprises the first end of the support strip.
 16. The artificial eyelash assembly of claim 3, wherein said second attachment point comprises the second end of the support strip.
 17. The artificial eyelash assembly of claim 3, wherein said first attachment point and second attachment point are user-selectable.
 18. The artificial eyelash assembly of claim 2, wherein said eyelash filaments are knotted to the lace material.
 19. The artificial eyelash assembly of claim 2, wherein said support strip is defined as an edge of the segment of lace material.
 20. The artificial eyelash assembly of claim 2, wherein said segment of lace material is adapted to be cut by an end-user. 